IllustrationENGINE JUST DIED. ESTIMATES TO REPLACE/REPAIR START AT $4500, JUST FOR THE ENGINE, NOT INCLUDING LABOR! I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE 2ND REBUILT TRANSMISSION PUT IN ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. *TR
2002 Dodge Intrepid
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Dodge Intrepid do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 377.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Intrepid years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
240–25K
3925–50K
6850–75K
6575–100K
54100–150K
10150K+
260 reports with mileage · 69 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 207 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports9 fire reports8 injury reports
Power Train complaints
60 reportsTHE INTREPID HAS HAD TO SERVICED ABOUT EVERY 3 MONTHS. FIRST IT WAS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO THE 02 SENSOR GOING OUT. THEN IT WAS THE FAN THAT BELT BROKE ON THE CAR. THEN IT WAS THE TIRES THE WOULD WEAR THE TREAD REALLY EASILY. THEN IT WAS THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE IT BROKE ON THE INSIDE. THE IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION THAT …
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THE INTREPID HAS HAD TO SERVICED ABOUT EVERY 3 MONTHS. FIRST IT WAS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO THE 02 SENSOR GOING OUT. THEN IT WAS THE FAN THAT BELT BROKE ON THE CAR. THEN IT WAS THE TIRES THE WOULD WEAR THE TREAD REALLY EASILY. THEN IT WAS THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE IT BROKE ON THE INSIDE. THE IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION THAT STARTED SKIPPING GEARS THEN IT WOULD MAKE THE RPM'S GO UP. NOW THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT. WE HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND WE HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF IT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND DOWNSHIFTED INTO THIRD GEAR. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.
TRANS FAILED @ 57,000 MIS. 2002 DODGE INTREPID HAD 60,000 MI WARRANTY SO IT COST ME $500 DEDUCTIBLE TO HAVE IT FIXED. CAR NOW HAS 130,000 MIS & HAS BEEN OK SINCE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, SHE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO HER VEHICLE ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LES…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, SHE WAS ABLE TO LOCATE QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS PERTAINING TO HER VEHICLE ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 55,350.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH HIS VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE CRANK, FUEL, AND OIL SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE SAME DAY, THE ENGINE FAILED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS CLEAN AND FOUND NO FAILURE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH HIS VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE CRANK, FUEL, AND OIL SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE SAME DAY, THE ENGINE FAILED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS CLEAN AND FOUND NO FAILURES, OTHER THAN THE BEARING. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO INSTALL AN IDLER AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST FOR THE TRANSMISSION WAS $3,300. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR COSTS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000.
BLOWN MOTOR. *TR
2002 DODGE INTREPID WITH OIL LEAK. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLES ENGINE HAS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH PRODUCES HIGH LEVELS OF ENGINE OIL SLUDGE. *KB AFTER THE OIL LEAK WAS REPAIRED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWO MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE HAD A TRANSMISSION LEAK. *JB
I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE INTREPID 2.7 LITER ENGINE FROM HONDA CARS OF MCKINNEY IN MAY OF 2005 FOR $7000 AND FELT VERY HAPPY ABOUT MY PURCHASE UNTIL A ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF LATER, THE ENGINE BEGIN LEAKING OIL. I FOLLOWED THE NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES. I TOOK MY DODGE TO ALLEN SAMUELS OF…
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I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE INTREPID 2.7 LITER ENGINE FROM HONDA CARS OF MCKINNEY IN MAY OF 2005 FOR $7000 AND FELT VERY HAPPY ABOUT MY PURCHASE UNTIL A ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF LATER, THE ENGINE BEGIN LEAKING OIL. I FOLLOWED THE NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES. I TOOK MY DODGE TO ALLEN SAMUELS OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS AND THEY "FIXED" MY OIL LEAK PROBLEM FOR $893 BUT WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT THE 2.7 ENGINE DESIGN PROBLEMS WHICH CAUSE MAJOR OIL SLUDGE PROBLEMS. AFTER ABOUT 2 MONTHS, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY RAN ANOTHER CHECK AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO OIL LEAK (ENGINE BURNS OIL NOW) BUT THERE WAS A "SMALL" TRANSMISSION LEAK. I WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY FURTHER WITH THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT PAYING MORE MONEY? SINCE THEN, I'VE BEEN UNABLE TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED AND HAVE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF CITATIONS FOR EXPIRED INSPECTION. I WAS EVEN TOLD BY A POLICEMAN THAT I COULD CHECK WITH THE AIR TEXAS PROGRAM FOR REPAIR COST HELP. I SENT IN REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND FOUND OUT FROM CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE THAT IT WOULD COST MORE THE CAR IS WORTH TO FIX. THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS GIVEN ME A $3000 VOUCHER TO REPLACE THIS POS DODGE. THE PROBLEM NOW IS THAT I'M UNEMPLOYED AND CAN'T AFFORD A CAR THAT QUALIFIES FOR THIS BENEFIT. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF SENDING A COMPLAINT TO ROBERT NARDELLI WITH CHRYSLER BUT I SAW THIS LINK AND THOUGHT I WOULD GET THE WORD OUT. THE DEALERSHIP AND/OR CHRYSLER OWE ME THE COST OF THE "OIL LEAK" REPAIR, COST TO EITHER REPLACE ENGINE/TRANS AND THE EXPENSES TO TRY AND GET IT INSPECTED. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILURE, AND SHIFTER NOT CORRECTLY WORKING. *TR
Official recalls
103V035000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
Feb 5, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SEAT BACK RECLINER BOLT BREAKAGE CAN OCCUR RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UNEXPECTEDLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SEAT BACK UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINES WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RECLINER BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE03010 · Throttle Control Failure
Opened Feb 27, 2003 · Closed Sep 2, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal; Vehicle Speed Control:cables; Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Vehicle Speed Control:cables
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Vehicle Speed Control
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
BASED ON THE LOW FAILURE RATE, THE ABSENCE OF FAILURES OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE ABSENCE OF INJURIES, AND ODI'S FIELD INVESTIGATION OF INCIDENT VEHICLES, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.